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“So, what do we do?”
“I’m not sure,” Lauren replies with a sigh. “Come on, let me make us some tea. We can talk about it some more.”
I hesitate, looking over her head toward the stairs. “What about Chloe?”
The last thing I want is for Chloe to stumble in on this mess.
“She’s working late,” Lauren assures me. “We’ve got the house to ourselves for a while yet.”
Reassured that we’re alone, I follow Lauren through the house and into the kitchen. The burden of Bethany’s return presses heavily on my heart. As much as I fear what it might mean, what it might resurrect from the past, I know that I must confront it—for better or worse.
Chapter thirteen
Chloe
I’m anxious to see Parker again as I make my way to the rental property one bright, sunny morning. It’s been two days since that awkward dinner with him and Lauren, and I haven’t talked to him since. He hasn’t texted or called, which has me worried. Lauren told me he stopped over the previous night to talk things over after he went to see their mom. She didn’t give me details about what exactly happened with Bethany to make Parker so upset at the prospect of her return, and I didn’t pry. I figure that if Parker wants me to know, he’ll tell me himself. Still, I can’t deny that I’m curious.
What could Bethany have possibly done to make Parker seemingly hate her so much?
As I approach the property, I notice Parker’s pickup truck parked outside. Heart banging against my chest, I take a deep breath and get out of my car. I’m actually nervous to see him. He was so upset the other night, and I didn’t know what to do to help, or if I should even try to help in the first place. I’m not his girlfriend, after all, so I’m not sure what I can or should do to offer comfort or support.
I walk up to the entrance to the building and walk inside. I can hear the sounds of construction happening upstairs. Parker and his crew have started renovating the outdated units, so I make my way up to the floor they’re working on.
As I step onto the third floor, the smell of fresh paint and dust fills my nostrils. The area is already starting to take shape; walls have been knocked down, new drywall is up, and several ladders are scattered around the space.
“Parker?” I call out tentatively as I make my way down the hall while peering into the open doorways.
A few seconds later, Parker emerges from one just ahead of me. His T-shirt is covered in dust and sweat. He rips his safety glasses off and wipes his brow before greeting me.
“Chloe, hey.” His voice lacks its usual warmth, which makes me frown slightly in response. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I thought I’d come by and see how things are going.” I try to infuse more confidence into my voice than I feel. “Is now a good time?”
He glances back toward the work going on in the apartment behind him before shrugging.
“Sure.” With that, he beckons me to follow him into what will soon be a modern living room.
It’s strange being with him in this quiet, half-finished space. He’s not his usual easy-going self. I can tell by the stern set of his jaw and the dark circles under his eyes. He looks as though he has the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders. We don’t speak for several moments, but soon, the silence becomes too much for me to bare.
I say, “Lauren told me you had a long talk with her about Bethany...”
Parker sighs deeply and looks away. When he speaks, his voice is low and his words clipped. “Yeah, we did.”
“I don’t know what happened between you guys,” I confess. “But if you want to talk about it...”
I trail off as Parker chuckles darkly under his breath.
“That’s just it, Chloe," he says bitterly, looking at me with tired eyes. “I’m tired of talking about it.”
“But—”
“No,” he interrupts. “It’s not your problem, Chloe. Let it go.”
“I just want to help.”
“I said, let it go!” he snaps, shocking me with his harsh, ice-cold tone. He’s never spoken to me like that before. In fact, now that I think about it, I don’t remember a time when he’s talked to anyone like that before, at least not in my presence.
Taken aback by his outburst, I stumble a step backward.
